Law enforcement officials call Street Sweep a success

Law enforcement and their advocates call CRIME STOPPERS street sweep effort a success. It was an unprecedented event. WALB News Ten teaming with area law enforcement and CRIME STOPPERS volunteers to clean up the streets.

Warrant teams searching homes in Dougherty and Lee Counties for the Top 25 Most Wanted.

Dougherty County Lt. Chad Kirkpatrick said "Anytime we can get criminals off the streets, it's a good thing. Make the community safer."

WALB News Ten broadcast the mug shots starting at 5, and the tips started to pour in immediately. And the warrant teams started to check them out quickly.

CRIME STOPPERS Chairman Jason Thornhill said "We had a lot of calls. Lots of good tips, so first time doing it, I think it was a good thing."

Warrant teams went into businesses, homes, motels.....checking tips from concerned people. At a northwest Albany motel, the Top 25 Most Wanted was not there, but officers recognized another wanted person and arrested her. Deedra Johnson was picked up for probation violations in Lee and Dougherty County.

While that was the only arrest in Thursday night's initial sweep, law enforcement said they think the tips provided will lead to more arrests soon.

Lee County Sheriff's Office Major Keith Houston said "I do. Some of the leads we have. We'll be able to follow up on them. And locate some of the people that were not located tonight. We do have some follow up information."

And officers in the field got more information that will be followed up in the coming days. Law enforcement officials say they hope people will continue to call CRIMESTOPPERS to help find that Top 25 Most Wanted, to get them behind bars.

Albany Police Investigator Schemika Foster said "This is the way they can do. And do it in a safe way so they can feel comfortable with providing us that information."

The public and law enforcement working together, to make this a safer and more crime free community. And officials say CRIME STOPPERS Street Sweep was a success.

Anyone with information on the Top 25 Most Wanted, call CRIME STOPPERS at 436-TIPS. Any tip that leads to an arrest will still earn a reward.